London Zoo fire: Aardvark dead and FOUR meerkats missing after 3-hour blaze

LONDON Zoo could be shut until after Christmas after a huge blaze erupted this morning killing an aardvark.

By Christine Younan /

Emergency services were called at 6.08am after a fire tore through the Adventure cafe and shop near the Meerkat enclosure.

At least 72 firefighters and 10 fire engines swooped the scene to tackle the inferno in the early hours of this morning.

But at this point, it remains unclear how the fire – which was brought under control by 9.16am – started.

London Zoo fire @PAULWOOD1961/TWITTER

BLAZE: Emergency services rushed to tackle a fire at the London Zoo

London Zoo fire TWITTER

INFERNO: At least 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines are at the scene

“A cafe and shop at #London Zoo is alight”

London Fire Brigade

A nine-year-old aardvark called Misha tragically die and four meerkats remain unaccounted for, the zoo said.

About 10 desperate zoo keepers frantically rushed to save the animals living in the enclosure of the zoo.

And eight staff – who live on site – have since been treated for smoke inhalation while another two were treated with minor injuries and one taken to hospital.

Misha the aardvark at London Zoo GETTY

BLAZE: An aardvark named Misha died in the fire at London Zoo this morning

London Zoo fire GETTY

LONDON ZOO: Seventy firefighters rushed to the scene earlier this morning

South Korean gym inferno kills scores

 
The blaze at the Jecheon gym has left at least 29 dead and many others injured
1 / 11
Around 60 firefighters attended the scene Yonhap
Around 60 firefighters attended the scene

    Tributes have since poured and zoo staff are “devastated” by Misha’s death.

    Dominic Jeremy, director of ZSL, said: "We are devastated that our aardvark Misha has perished in the fire and that four of our meerkats are currently unaccounted for.

    "We are completely devastated at a personal level, Misha was a very popular animal.”

    London Zoo fire GETTY

    INCIDENT: The Zoo will remain closed until further notice

    And then a spokeswoman for the zoo said: “We are all naturally devastated by this, but are immensely grateful to the fire brigade, who reacted quickly to the situation to bring the fire under control.

    "It's too soon to speculate on the cause of the fire but we will be working very closely with fire investigators over the coming days and weeks to ascertain the cause.

    "We will aim to re-open when we know it is safe to do so for animals, staff and visitors."

    North London fire: Warehouse in Ponders End in flames

     
    Tottenham Hotspur facility bursts into flames sending clouds of smoke over London
    1 / 9
    Thick black smoke is billowing from a Tottenham Hotspur warehouse in Ponder End Industrial Park, Enfield Luke Gutteridge / SWNS.com
    Thick black smoke is billowing from a Tottenham Hotspur warehouse in Ponder End Industrial Park, Enfield

      A London Fire Brigade spokesman said in a statement earlier today: “Ten fire engines and 72 firefighters and officers have been called to a fire at a cafe and shop at London Zoo.

      "Approximately half of an adventure cafe and shop, which also contains an animal petting area, is currently alight. It is not known if any animals are involved at this stage.

      "The Brigade was called at 06.08am. Fire crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston, West Hampstead and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene.”

      Comments